'We're the Millers,' 'Percy Jackson' sequel open Wednesday

Two studios are getting a jumpstart on the crowded late-summer weekend by opening their films early on Wednesday: an R-rated comedy “We’re the Millers,” and a family sequel, 20th Century Fox’s “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.”

Observers are estimating a five-day gross in the high $20 millions range for Warner Bros.’ “Millers,”although one observer estimates as high as $32 million is a possibility. The only comedy opening this weekend, starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis, is about a family trying to smuggle marijuana out of Mexico.

Sony will also bow sci-fi epic “Elysium” on Friday, and observers are mixed in their projections. Sony is hoping for a bow as high as $35 million, while other box office watchers estimate a figure in the high $20 millions range. While Sony could certainly use a hit after lackluster pics “After Earth” and “White House Down” earlier this summer, “Elysium” isn’t a sure bet to win the weekend.

For “Percy Jackson,” Fox is estimating a bow in the low $20 millions for five days, while other estimates project a more optimistic high $20 millions debut. A PG sequel to the studio’s 2010 original, pic will go up against Disney’s “Planes,” which is tracking all over the map, from mid-$20 millions to low-$30 millions.

“Planes” opens Wednesday and should skew quite young, while “Percy” is tracking well among teens. But both pics may have to break out of their key demos to do well this weekend.

“There’s a glut of new films with four movies,” says Fox distribution exec Chris Aronson about “Percy.” “I think we have a very loyal fanbase that’s going to turn out for ours.”